Surrogate Mothers and Single Fathers Eligible for Child Care Leave

The state government has amended the 48-year-old civil service leave rules. Now, surrogate or commissioning mothers (mothers of children born through surrogacy) will be eligible for maternity leave, and single male government employees will also be eligible for child care leave. Adoptive parents will be eligible for 15 days of paternity leave. Teachers will earn 10 leave days per year, and any remaining leave can be cashed out after retirement. These provisions will be effective from January 1, 2026.

The Finance Department has notified the Leave Rules 2025. Accumulated leave will not exceed 300 days during the service period. The previous rules were under the Madhya Pradesh Civil Service (Leave) Rules 1977, which have now been updated considering modern requirements. Approximately 7.5 lakh regular employees in the state will benefit from this amendment.

Child Care Leave

The first 365 days of leave will be granted with full pay, and the second instance will be paid at 80% of the salary. Leave will be available for children up to 18 years of age.

Leave for Surrogates and Single Fathers

Previously, there was no provision for salary deduction for two years of leave, but the revised rules include this. No more than three leaves will be approved in a year. Single women can avail up to six leaves in a calendar year (January 1 to December 31). Adoptive mothers with more than one living child will not be eligible for adoptive child leave.

Cashout for Teachers’ Earned Leave

Paternity leave can be taken 15 days before the expected delivery date or within six months after delivery, with full pay. Commissioning fathers of children born through surrogacy will also be eligible for 15 days of paternity leave within six months.

Scope and Exceptions

• No pay will be granted during extraordinary leave.
• Doctors pursuing postgraduate qualifications will get 36 months of study leave without any financial burden on the government.
• The rules will not apply to:
  • Casual, daily wage, or part-time employees
  • Employees paid from contingency funds
  • Employees on temporary establishment posts
  • Contract employees